Tattoo Sleeve
83Sleeve Tattoo Ideas and Designs
Full Half and Quater Sleeve Tattoo Info
Have you been contemplating getting a sleeve tattoo? Or maybe you are just wondering what the heck they are? If you are thinking about making the commitment to a full, half or quater sleeve tattoo then go for it!
Some Great Male Full Sleeve Tattoo Pictures
Recommended Resrouces For Full Sleeve Tattoo Designs
- Chopper Tattoos
Chopper-Tattoo.com provides you with thousands of award winning tattoo designs that you can browse from the comfort of your home. Here you will find designs that will be happy with for the rest of your life. Members are able to browse through our Hug - My Custom Tattoo
My new blog site about tattoos, tattoo designs and tattoo galleries!
A sleeve tattoo basically reffers to any type of tattoo that completely covers the skin in the mentioned area. Typically sleeve tattoos are done on the arms and they can come in a variety of lengths. A full sleeve tattoo being form the shoulder blade all the way down to the wrist. A half sleeve then is from the shouler to the elbow and a quater sleeve is typically from the elbow to the wrist.
The word sleeve comes from clothing and it is a direct relation to the area on a shirt you call a sleeve that covers your arms. Therefore a sleeve tattoo essentially covers your arm as a shrit sleeve would. However, in a lot more artistic style and flair!
All Paths Lead To Rome (Or at least a sleeve tattoo)
If you have already taken the plunge and gotten some ink done on your body then you probably know by now how incredible addictive tattoos can be. Many people have stated that once they got started they just could not stop. In fact for many people tattoos are very theraputic! Something about needeles, pain and art being combined seem to have a magic and theraputic effect.
Either way you look at it a sleeve tattoo either full, half or quater is a major commitment in time, money, and effort! There are two different paths that people typically fall into when getting a sleeve tattoo.
The Individual Tattoos Path To A Sleeve Tattoo
One way that sleeve tattoos occur is kind of on accident. People start by getting one or two tattoos and they quickly find themselve addicted. They then continue getting tattoos in the area until most of their arm is filled with a bunch of indivdual tattoos. Often at this point people still want more tattoos so they design a way to connect up all of the individual tattoos into one large sleeve tattoo.
One Complete Project Part To A Sleeve Tattoo
The second way that people end up getting a sleeve tattoo done is they start out wanting a full sleeve tattoo and they plan the whole thing before starting. This takes a great deal of foresight, time and effort to come up with a unique and yet meaningful design that can cover the entire arm. However, these can often be very meaningful projects.
Sleeve Tattoo Designs on eBay
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6 Original Tattoo Flash Design Art Sheets b Scott Hill
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FANCY TATTOO DESIGNS V.2 -LD MACHINE EMBROIDERY DESIGNS
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"HOT CELTIC TRIBAL FLASH TATTOO DESIGNS" NOW ON CD!!
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MONSTER TRIBAL TATTOO SERIES 5000+ FLASH DESIGNS ON CD
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MONSTER TRIBAL TATTOO SERIES 5000+ FLASH DESIGNS ON CD
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~~NEW DESIGN~~ PROF TATTOO KIT COMPLETE WITH 3 GUNS/ us
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Sleeve Tattoo Inspiration, Ideas, And Design Resrouces
If you are truly contemplating getting a full sleeve tattoo then you will probably want to spend some time thinking about it. Of couse you might have just fallen upon a sleeve tattoo by getting a collection of smaller tattoos that you are now planning on getting connected up. However, if you are planning from the beginning to get a sleeve tattoo done then you will want to spend some time conteplating what types of tattoo designs you would like to get. It is improtant before starting the actual tattoo to spend some time thinking about the designs, styles and types of tattoo images you would like to get.
Here is a list of some of the more popular thems and sleeve tattoo design ideas that are oftend one. Of course this in no way locks you into getting one of these ideas but it just serves as some suggestions to get the ball rolling and get your mind wandering. Typically that tattoo that you spend the most time designing will be the one that you are proud to wear the rest of your life. If you simple get a flame sleeve tattoo just because your friend did or because you go drunk one night chances are you will end up regretting the decision later in life. However, if you plan ahead and pick a meaningful tattoo design that is full of important symbols and expresses something about your individuality in a meaninful way then you will be proud!
Tattoo Sleeve Ideas and Designs
1. Flame Tattoo Sleeves- These can often work as part of a larger full sleeve tattoo. The flames typically start down at the wrist area and then move up the forearm. As you get towards the top or shoulder area other tattoos and designs can be incorporated.
2. Tribal Tattoo Sleeve - These are very popular options when choosing tattoo sleeves as the bold, thick and dark lines look great form a distance. There of course are many different tribal tattoos and a long history of tattooing among many native cutlures. For example you might choose to get a Hawaiian tribal tattoo or something from the Maori tribe. No matter what tribe and design you decide tribal designs bold features often make a great option for a sleeve tattoo.
3. Celtic Knotwork Sleeve Tattoos - Celtic knotwork ofte makes a great design. These are very itricate tattoos with a ton of detail and interweaving lines. Therefore they are well suited for the larger canvas area of a full sleeve tattoo.
4. Floral Patterns Tattoos - Often for women especially but sometimes men also a floral pattern tattoo can look very stricking.
5. Traditonal Japanese Tattoo Designs - The Japanese have a rich history of tattooing and the art form has risen to the top among tattoo designs. These intricate designs often have very deep symbolic meanings and are very beautiful! They are also very exotic for westerns and unique making for a great combination for a full sleeve tattoo.
These are just a few of the ideas for a sleeve tattoo and what you choose should be entierly up to you and based on what you value and want to express about yourself. Do not ever get a tattoo becuase you saw some Hollywood celbrity with that design. Instead find something that speaks to you and has power and sybmolic meaning behind it!
Female Sleeve Tattoos
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Lot of 6-TATTOO SLEEVES-Temporary M--XL Fun 4 All Ages
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Pair of Tattoo Sleeves stretchy cloth tribal/dragon
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Pair of Tattoo Sleeves stretchy cloth tribal B
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Pair of Tattoo Sleeves stretchy cloth dragon B
Current Bid: $.99
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Ed Hardy Tattoo Poster ~ Design Montage ~ Tiger "Life is a Gamble" ~ 24x36"
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List Price: $19.99 |
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ED HARDY TATTOO COLLAGE DESIGNS 24X36 POSTER PP31247A
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Tribal Print Tattoo Design Star Lamp
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Beachcombers! Henna Tattoo 10 Pre Mixed Paste Cone Party Pack w/ 2 Oils & Fine Metal Tip Applicator Bottles
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Curious About Sleeve Tattoos?
Have you ever seen anyone in the store or some otherublic area witha full sleeve tattoo that is so stricking and beautiful that you feel drawn to it? Often people that have taken the time and made the commitment to getting a full sleeve tattoo are very proud of their body art. Knowing this fact if you are interested in someone tattoo take the time to go up and talk to them. Ask about their tattoo and let them know you like it! They will often be very happy to share all kinds of great information about the tattoo.
Male Half Sleeve Tattoos
Time, Cost, And Commitment For Sleeve Tatttoos
Of coruse if you are considering getting a full sleeve tatto then you might very well be wondering how much time and money it will take. This is an incredibly hard questiont o answer as there is no set international rate for tattoo designs. It can really depend on a lot of factors. Some of the things that will go into the pricing consideration are:
1. The popularity of the tattoo artist - Of course having tattoo done by a local artist will cost a lot less them some well known tattoo artist. However, the results might be very different so it is imortant to shop around and really form a relatioship with the tattoo artist.
2. The amount of customization that you want - Of course getting a full sleeve done with some stock in store flash is going to be significantly cheaper then a fully custom design sleeve tattoo. Although I have to say you get what you pay for here folks and unless you really love the flash going with a stock design is usually not a good idea and paying the extra for custom design typically ends better.
3. How busy the shop is - Of course the busier tattoo shops can afford to charge more. It is basic supply and demand.
4. Intricacy Of The Design - Sort of like chosing stock flash the less intricate the design you have choosen is the faster the work will go and therefore the it will be less expesnive.
Some General Guidelines
Typically most tattooa rtists charge $100 dollars and up. Price can range depending on the popularity of that tattoo artist and the location they are working in. $150 an hour would be a good conservative place to start in your figuring ou tthe overall cost.
Time Considerations:
Full sleeve tattoos are not done in one simple sitting and it will take multiple hour long sessions. Many full sleeve tattoo designs can take around 20 hours of work. They are often done in one hour blocks over multiple weeks and sometimes even months and up.
With all of the above said averages costs for full sleeve tattoos run between 1,000 to 2,500 dollar range. Yet it is important to shop around and take some time in choosing that tattoo shop and artist that you choose to have do the work for you. Again forming a connection witht he artist can be very meaningful later. After all you are going to be spending a great deal of time with the person and working in conjunction with them in an artistic way so you want to find someone that will isten to your ideas and take your input into consideration. You don't want to work with someone that just wants to get the job done, get paid and get you out of the shop. This is a serious life long commitment so take the time to resaerch it throughly.
Celtic Sleeve Tattoo Designs
Click thumbnail to view full-size
Other Tattoo Resrouces
- Welcome to Flickr - Photo Sharing
Flickr is almost certainly the best online photo management and sharing application in the world. Show off your favorite photos to the world, securely and privately show photos to your friends and family, or blog the photos you take with a cameraphon - Google Image Serach
Another great place to find tons of pictures for tattoo designs. Just picture not actual designs but useful to get ideas.
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Any Comments What Do You Think?
Awesome Kevin! Glad to help...You have the destinction of being the first to comment on one of my hubs so I am glad for the positive feedback.
You contemplating getting a sleeve tattoo? Would love to see a pic of it if you do and will gladly post it here!
Great reading, now i know stuff i didnt know before so thanks.
Im going for a sleeve now.
Right on Aleks glad to help ya out. Let me know how it turns out? Do you have your ideas already gathered for it? Go ahead and share pics or ideas what you are thinking!
Cheers for this it has been really helpful
This is has given me loads of info as I have been thinking of getting a half sleeve for a while now but it will be my first tattoo so didn't know much. I'm from Belfast so I'm just looking around various tattoo shops to see who has experience in doing half sleeves.
Once again this has been a great help cheers mate.
Right on glad to hear it! Good Luck with your sleeve tattoo. That is a brave understaking for a first tattoo. Most people go a little smaller for their first but hey no reasont o hold back if you know that is waht you want go for it! Glad you enjoyed reading the site!
Extremely helpful. I am considering a full sleeve and this article has given me many things to think about and look out for. It will be my first tattoo and I am looking forward very much so to starting the design process. Thanks for the info.
Hey Boots! ight on gald someone else liked it! Some of hubpages are finally starting to get comments which is really cool. Good luck on your designs if you get a chance send some pictures I would love to add them here! It would be a great way to show off your cool work. Even if you just send pics of the design that would be super cool!
Good luck!
I've thought about getting a half sleeve for a while now. The only problem is- is that im not quite sure what to get. And I definitley want something that is unique and not tacky. Any suggestions or designs would be great for an idea.
Hey Chris-
Did any of the designs ont he hub page spark any ideas for you? There are two basic ways to go for a sleeve tattoo. 1. You get several seperate tattoos you like and then finally connect them together for a sleeve tattoo. The other way of course is if you know you want a half sleeve as you state then think about designs that inspire you. Typically tattoos that hold some personal signifcance will stand the test of time and also stand out and not look cheesy. I personally like a lot of the Japanese themes since they are classic, full of color and sort of have a mystic. However, that is just me and you have to decide on what designs and ideas you like. Think about your life, nd personal values. SOmeone you want to memorialize or some value you want to represent in the tattoo and that should help lead you. I personally think the tribal sleeve has been kind of over played unless you go for a Hawaiian or Pacific Islander tribal otherwise they are kind of a dime a dozen. Hope that helps you some it is really hard to lead someone to their perfect tattoo as it is a personal expression of yourself. At any rate hope it helps if you get some rough ideas post them here and see what people think or how they respond as an option.
I've been considering a smaller tattoo for some time now. I would like to see a lot more pictures of tattoo lotusts, so I can have a better idea of what I'm going for.
Hey Jasmine-
Cool to hear you are looking for a tattoo design. Unfortunetly smaller tattoo designs are not going to be very readily avalible in a lens on tattoo sleeves like this one. SLeeve tattoo are usually pretty big designs. Anyway you mentioned small designs and lotus flowers. So here you go ask and you shall recieve. Hopefully you will come back and see this.
http://hubpages.com/hub/Lotus_FLower_Tattoo
http://hubpages.com/hub/Flower_Tattoo_Design
http://www.squidoo.com/hawiian-flower-tattoos/
http://www.squidoo.com/femaletattoogallery/
Great article! I got the first installment of what I plan on being a full sleeve last year and have just started looking into local shops (I recently moved) to get more work done on it. Still trying to figure out the design in its entirety but I'm sure once I find an artist we can work it out.
You can see the beginnings of it here: http://www.islandrosetattoo.com/photos/tats_merle/
your articles are pretty informative. if you have some time i'd like to talk to you about japanese imagery meanings. i have some specific questions. feel free to email me or if you know of a good source...
thanks for taking the time to write about it.
-Jamie
Hi THere Jamie (Momentos)
Thanks for the positive comments I am glad you find my content informative. I try pretty hard to do research and find the most useful information for you about a specific type of tattoo. I would be happy to email you and see what I can do to help. The only problem is you didn't leave any email address. If you do I would be more then happy but please save yourself from the spam and write it in this way.
my email at yahoo dot com. That way you don't get all kinds of spam!
Anyway be happy to help. I know a decent amount about Japan and the symbolism of Japanese tattoos and have a pretty good expert with me. My wife is from Japan. So fire away and I can try to help and if I dont know I won't BS you about it.
superb article mate, well done.
Hey Christopher Taylor-
Thanks for the nice comment glad you enjoyed the hubpage!
I have just started looking into getting a full sleeve after i get back from my deployment. You have a great article and it helped alot. I already have a celtic cross and i have been researching different knot and animal designs to incorproate into a sleeve. Do you have any other celtic full sleeve pics? I have been trying to figure out where to put what and any examples would be a great help. Thx!
Hey Dan-
Not sure you will ever come back but if you do then please check out below the comments. I added a whole section of Celtic arm or sleeve tattoos. Some of them are not full sleeves but it will hopefully give you some ideas anyway. Your wish is my command my friend. Enjoy!
Thanx for adding the celtic pics. You have an awesome website here and lots of good info, very helpfull.
Hey Dan Awesome you came back here to check out the hub. Glad my work wasn't in vain and glad you liked the extra pictures.
Hi Mate,
Some really usefull tips on your website dude, Im looking into gettin a half sleeve done, based around a hawaiian / floral design, although being a guy, don't want it to look too femine. Do you have any good pics / ideas / links
Any help would be greatly appreciated
Cheers!!
Thanks for the great info on sleeves. I'm planning on getting a quarter sleeve on my right arm/shoulder due to the new restriction placed by the Marine Corps on sleeve tattoos. But I want to do it so that I can eventually make it into a full sleeve once I am out of the Corps. I've got one problem though...I have a solid black scorpion tatoo on my right shoulder where I want to get the sleeve, so I have to find a way to incorporate it into a theme. Since I'm Korean, I'm thinking about possibly getting a Korean/Asian theme...any idea on a good Asian theme that is unique and hasn't been done to death?
hi,
i was wondering if you had any ideas on how i could make my two tattos join i have a half sleeve tribal and on the onside of my forarm i have the virgin mary. ive been throwing ideas around with my tattoist but now have really struck me...and help would be great
Hey Alan-
Without seeing a picture of the art work and tattoos you have it is kind of hard to make many suggestions. Also it is a very personal thing. if you could tell me the reasons why you got the tribal and virgin mary int he first place it might be eaier and if there were photos.
You might be able to carry off some good luck themes like a horseshow or some cards? The background is really the improtant part that you ahve to work otu and then you could fill i n with some smaller tattoos along the way. Another idea might be to go with a large Koi which you could then use water splashing background with. Japanese Tattoos with the beautiful blue range of water look great. But againw ithout knowing you and not seeing your tats already kind of hard to make any firm suggestions.
great and helpful site. Am planning a half sleeve but already have a large black panther on top arm. Had thought of lots of retro stuff eg swallows/anchors etc but any ideas would be great. Many thanks
Hey Davey-
I think you got some great ideas retro stuff looks hot esepcially with the new colors of ink on the market the retro designs look so much more briallant then 50 years ago. I always like the retro, old school tats. A panther will go welland can easily be included in the design so I think you are on the right track. You might want to try using Google Image search to find some more source material. Type in things like swallo tattoo or anchor tattoo and see what comes up. Another palce to look is www.flickr.com use the same search terms. Good luck and let me know!
hey man, great information here. i am working on a custom half sleeve and chest plate on both sides in the traditional japanese style. currently, i am at the design stage. i did have a question, if i may. you mentioned in an earlier post that you are familiar with japanese tattoo designs and such. if you can send me an email at "thecaptain2438 at yahoo dot com" i'd love to get some more information from you. thanks for your time.
john
Greetings,
I must say, I enjoyed this article immensely. I've contemplated getting a tattoo, as well as full sleeve tattooos. I'm pretty set on a Demon Hunter (StormTheGatesOfHell.com) or P.O.D. sleeve. Ever seen any like that?
Awsome information fella, really cool that you took the time to write it. I am at the beginning of planning my half sleeve in Japanese style and love the look of Koi fish... have you any details on meanings etc... Finding the planning stage so exciting, cant wait to get started. I'm in London... can you recomend any artists
Hi There Joseph-
Thanks for the positive comments. I enjoy writing about tattoos and posting pictures so it is fun to create these pages. Good luck on your new Japanese Sleeve tattoo design it sounds awesome. Love to see it when you get the work done.
As far as meaning that is pretty complex and hard to write about in a short paragraph. Since you mentioned koi you might check out this other hupage that I created on Koi
http://hubpages.com/hub/koi-fish-tattoos
There is a lot of incredible symbolism behind koi fisha nd they make beautiful tattoos.
As far as recommendations for artists I don't have any. Most of the artists I know all live here across the pond in the states. Good luck!
Thanks for the reply, I'll keep you posted!! - just have to get my wife on board
What a great read on this topic--very informative, thank you.
--Valerie
P.S. I could swear that guy w/the sleeves in the pic is my daughter's father whom she hasn't spoken to in over a year now--"Hey Xavier, call you daughter already! She just turned 7 and you didn't even call her w/a Happy Birthday!"--LOL. J/K. :)
P.S.P.S. Do you have any good resources for pin-up girls? I'm actually wanting one in a Marine uniform and haven't really found any good examples of what I'm looking for.
Hey Valerieabear-
You are right how did you know that was Xavier? What a dog he is not calling his own flesh and blood and such a cute little 7 year old girl! Just kidding...Well only partially he is a dog for not calling his own daughter...
THanks for the positive comments I am glad you enjoyed the hubpage....
I just so happen to have another hubpage on pinup girl tattoos. Check it out:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Pinup_Girl_Tattoo
Again thanks for hte positive comments!
HI THERE IM BEEN THINKING ABOUT GETTING A HALF SLEEVE AND CHEST MABE OF A DRAGON WITH THE HEAD ON MY CHEST ANOTHER OPTION IS TO GET JAPPANISE STYLE. DO YOU NO WHERE I CAN FIND SOME MORE IDEAS CHEERS. VERY GOOD READ IT REALY MADE ME THINK
Hey There Verran-
Yes I do happen to have a few great free sources that should help you a great deal. Two to be exact. I always make use of the Google.com image search to find tons of great photos of tattoos. This woun't show so much flash but is great to gather ideas and photos of tattoos. Also you can search flickr.com (notice it is without the e). Again all photos but great ideas none the less. Once you gather some good resrouces photos printthem out and take them to a tattoo artist and talk about what you like in each photo then have the artist design a tattoo for you. If they are unwilling to design a custom tattoo, or listen to your ideas or put you down in any way then just leave the shop and find someone else. It either means they have a bad cooler then you complex, they are too busy at the shop, or most often they can not draw very well and rely on stock flash to do tattoos. So these are not the type of tattoo artists you want tattooing on your body for sure. Anyway hope it helps!
hey nice page! Ive been thinking about getting a quarter sleeve with like flames starting on the wrist and turning into a sort of small tribal design up the arm but I have no clue where to start and how to design one myself!
Nice article. I'm busy planning a sleeve with my artist at the moment (actually going to see him tomorrow) and I agree completely - it's so important to have a good relationship with your artist so you can discuss ideas with them. I've finally decided on a theme and style for my piece - the theme is love and the style will be the day of the dead (although I'm not strictly sure if those are the correct categories, you get the idea... ;) ) and now I can't wait to get the whole process started. I sent him a whole lot of images I liked and he's using those to start to design it, with my input.
Of course, this is the time when he tells me I should slow down and make sure it's all planned, and whilst I'm itching to start, its great advice... after all - not only is a sleeve a big committment timewise, its also a big social committment - people will be seeing it on you for the rest of your life, you dont want it to look s***...
All I can say for anyone considering it, is go for it - if that's what you want to do, no matter what people tell you, as long as you're happy that's what's important...
Hey Pippa-
Sounds like you are on track for one awesome sleeve tattoo. YOu ahve taken all the right steps adn you are dead on in your comments. Best of luck and hope you enjoy!
Tattoos are addictive.
Hey man, amazing info...i'm going for a full sleeve, just researching on the net, i already have a massive urban graffitti tattoo and want to complement it...any suggestions?
hey guys , i would just like to say what good info you have here, ive been thinking of getting a sleeve done for the past year but im useless at thinking up of any ideas. really i would love it to be around music, specialy madonns haha sad i know but i love her.. i already have some of her lyrics on my shoulder blade and would like to carry it on from there.
do you have any ideas or any resources u know of to help with my ideas?
thanx alot.
Hey mate, ive been researching getting a half sleeve black/grey bio organic but am having trouble finding many examples of them to fuel my ideas. Any suggestions for websites that may specialize or at least have a good selection?
Guys, I want to get a full sleeve job done with an octopus fighting with a mermaid on my forarm with king neptune coming to the mermaids rescue about to throw his pitch fork at the octopus on my shoulder and down my upper arm. I can't find anything to help me design this, could you PLEASE help me out and point me in the right direction. Thanks heaps.
Fitzy sounds like a really great tattoo dsigna nd you already know what you want. I will give you a big hint. You probably will not find something that exact on the internet. Instead you should find a local tattoo artist that you can work well with and pay to have them design it for you. You could spend time looking at google images or flickr.com and try to find some octopus or mermaid tattoos but you will not find a whole sleeve design like that as it is very orginal. Great ideas though and it would be well worth paying someone to design it for you.
I can certainly appreciate the artwork that goes into these, but why in the world would someone want to look at that on themselves every day for the rest of their lives? It's like being forced to wear the same shirt forever, even after it goes out of style.
I've been wanting to get a half sleeve for sometime now, but I'm joining the coast gaurd. I'm having to get a quarter sleeve instead which is ok but I'm worried that the design I have in mind might not fit. I've got long arms but if my arms get any bigger in size will it affect the tattoo after I've had it.
ever since i saw Travis Barkers seleves ive wanted to get one haha, but i just dont know what to get i just cant see me getting something crazy like that. thanks for the free info tho :P
working
Kevin says:
9 months ago
Very informative and well written info, answered my questions....